So... I just need to vent this. And it's my blog, so I can. I'm starting to be really annoyed with these crazy coupon hunter people.
I'm all about finding deals. I really am. I always check the coupons and try to save by stocking up when deals are really good.
I do not, however, BUY OUT THE WHOLE STORE JUST BECAUSE I CAN.
And it's really disappointing when I plan to use my one little coupon to get a good deal on one little thing to make for supper this week, only to find that t he crazy coupon people have been at it again, BUYING OUT THE WHOLE STORE. AUUUUGH!
I hope I don't offend anyone here. Because I do have some friends who probably fall into the crazy couponing category. And I love them dearly. And I like what they do. But seriously, folks. Let's draw a line. It isn't FAIR to me, an average consumer, that you peeled off all of the sticky coupons from a product, and you didn't even buy it, and then when I want to buy one or two, I'm totally deprived of the deal I was supposed to be getting as a reward for buying that thing. Let's show some class here.
Here's another thing. Are you really using all of that stuff you get? Did you really need 6 sticks of deodorant? Really?
Well. That's all I have to say. That, and I wish that stupid TLC show had never existed because it's only fueling the fire! I hate that show. I feel sick watching it. And some of those people... I think they need psychological help. Why are we making it into entertainment? (I'm gonna have to say that's true of many reality shows, however.)
All right. Hopefully no one hates me for saying it. It's just my opinion.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Missing my Free Time!
I haven't had any spare time in the last couple of weeks. Things just got really busy for all of us. With summer in full swing. so. What have I been doing?
Mostly, trying to keep up with these guys:
we've spent a lot of time in the wading pool in the back yard this summer. But now it's been raining for two weeks straight, so we're trying to find more interesting things to do.
Like potty training.
Which, by the way, I am terrible at. I will not share the trauma with the whole world. But let's just say I suck.
I also wrote a devotion book for a camp at church. Every year my mother-in-law, along with her team of friends, puts on a theatrical camp. For two weeks 3-8th graders come to church in the morning and learn different parts of theater/acting/set-design/dancing whatever. they put on a play at the end. This year the play is about David and Goliath, so what I wrote corresponded with themes from that. I enjoy writing devotions. For camp, I check their "homework", and I've been teaching their devotion time in camp too. It's been a challenge. But I sort of like it too.
Anyway.
I've also been busy with wedding plans. My sister's getting married in August. She was home and so we had showers and dresses and all of that girl-stuff that comes with weddings. It's been fun, though. Now that she's growing up and we can kind of relate about some more things in life.
My BFF cousin visited too while my sister was here. That was awesome like usual. Becky and I grew up playing in the barn, chasing down cats, fighting with our older siblings, and inventing spy organizations together. It's not nearly as interesting when we hang out now, but I guess that might be good. Although, we have been known to break out in random songs from "The Music Man". but that's a trait almost everyone in my extended family shares.
Overall, life is good. We spend a lot of our free time reading library books and running through the sprinkler.
I spend whatever moment I get to myself writing. Because I love it. And I'm in the middle of a project.
Next week will be just as busy as this one, if not more. And then, my brother and sister-in-law come to town. After four days, we're all going to drive across the state for a Christian music festival together. More to come on that...
Mostly, trying to keep up with these guys:
we've spent a lot of time in the wading pool in the back yard this summer. But now it's been raining for two weeks straight, so we're trying to find more interesting things to do.
Like potty training.
Which, by the way, I am terrible at. I will not share the trauma with the whole world. But let's just say I suck.I also wrote a devotion book for a camp at church. Every year my mother-in-law, along with her team of friends, puts on a theatrical camp. For two weeks 3-8th graders come to church in the morning and learn different parts of theater/acting/set-design/dancing whatever. they put on a play at the end. This year the play is about David and Goliath, so what I wrote corresponded with themes from that. I enjoy writing devotions. For camp, I check their "homework", and I've been teaching their devotion time in camp too. It's been a challenge. But I sort of like it too.
Anyway.
I've also been busy with wedding plans. My sister's getting married in August. She was home and so we had showers and dresses and all of that girl-stuff that comes with weddings. It's been fun, though. Now that she's growing up and we can kind of relate about some more things in life.
My BFF cousin visited too while my sister was here. That was awesome like usual. Becky and I grew up playing in the barn, chasing down cats, fighting with our older siblings, and inventing spy organizations together. It's not nearly as interesting when we hang out now, but I guess that might be good. Although, we have been known to break out in random songs from "The Music Man". but that's a trait almost everyone in my extended family shares.
Overall, life is good. We spend a lot of our free time reading library books and running through the sprinkler.
I spend whatever moment I get to myself writing. Because I love it. And I'm in the middle of a project.
Next week will be just as busy as this one, if not more. And then, my brother and sister-in-law come to town. After four days, we're all going to drive across the state for a Christian music festival together. More to come on that...
Monday, June 06, 2011
Little Leaf
You liked where you were walking
on the solid ground of yesterday
safe from shadows and thorns.
But change comes in like the wind
and pushes away all that you saw as solid--
the comfortable that keeps you
in places like green pastures and goodnight kisses
And you see it as a struggle when that wind comes
and you cling to the tree
like a little leaf
Unable to see the sky above
or the road ahead calling "Come and be free!"
In Africa you caught a glimpse
of that mysterious place that ties us together
with trust and love
and your heart is asking for more.
And you know, letting go now, will pull you back into that sacred space
Not into the safe meadows in the
sheltered softness of what has always been home
but somewhere beyond, somewhere unknown
high above those lofty clouds you've watched
And insecurity holds you there
tethered to the tree
Will you trust that something bigger is at work here
and simply let it be?
What dreams will die? What life may come!
what treasures lie in store!
how do we do it together, when it's always been just me?
You wonder and you cry
and you cling.
But you, little leaf,
you needn't be afraid.
He will always keep you safe.
You must surrender to the wind
as it takes you high and low, hither and yon
You will find your heart at ease there beyond
all you could ever think or dream
And when you look back over your shoulder at the unending sky
you will probably find
that until now you never really were free
and you didn't really know how to fly.
on the solid ground of yesterday
safe from shadows and thorns.
But change comes in like the wind
and pushes away all that you saw as solid--
the comfortable that keeps you
in places like green pastures and goodnight kisses
And you see it as a struggle when that wind comes
and you cling to the tree
like a little leaf
Unable to see the sky above
or the road ahead calling "Come and be free!"
In Africa you caught a glimpse
of that mysterious place that ties us together
with trust and love
and your heart is asking for more.
And you know, letting go now, will pull you back into that sacred space
Not into the safe meadows in the
sheltered softness of what has always been home
but somewhere beyond, somewhere unknown
high above those lofty clouds you've watched
And insecurity holds you there
tethered to the tree
Will you trust that something bigger is at work here
and simply let it be?
What dreams will die? What life may come!
what treasures lie in store!
how do we do it together, when it's always been just me?
You wonder and you cry
and you cling.
But you, little leaf,
you needn't be afraid.
He will always keep you safe.
You must surrender to the wind
as it takes you high and low, hither and yon
You will find your heart at ease there beyond
all you could ever think or dream
And when you look back over your shoulder at the unending sky
you will probably find
that until now you never really were free
and you didn't really know how to fly.
Arlo's wedding
We enjoyed some good old time fun this weekend. Our friend Arlene from college got married to another friend from college. Instead of a nice traditionally quaint wedding, or an elaborate show, this wedding was simple down to earth, good old fashioned fun.
I've lived in Iowa my whole life but never been to a barn dance. I really have to say I enjoyed it. My kids did too. We just had a great time. The music was fantastic.
Instead of cake and cake-cutting rituals, Arlo and Darin had a pie contest. All of their guests were invited to bring a pie for judging. Which made for delicious dessert time! We sat on quilts on the lawn for the meal, and had a great time visiting with friends and strangers.
Most weddings, you sit around with a couple people and have awkward conversation and try to think of things to say. This wasn't like that. we met some really neat people and enjoyed catching up with other friends from college.
I liked the small-town country feel. I wish we had mroe chances for things like that.
So, I'm just going to say, we named our kid after one of the coolest people in the world. When you read about the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians, you would be describing her. (Although she would tell you that isn't the case). She has a gentle, quiet demeanor but a funny sense of humor. She enjoys life. She lives in simplicity and welcomes people into her life with honesty and openness. She loves God and shines in whatever she does. Of course, we love her. And that will be a wedding for the history books, for sure.
I've lived in Iowa my whole life but never been to a barn dance. I really have to say I enjoyed it. My kids did too. We just had a great time. The music was fantastic.
Instead of cake and cake-cutting rituals, Arlo and Darin had a pie contest. All of their guests were invited to bring a pie for judging. Which made for delicious dessert time! We sat on quilts on the lawn for the meal, and had a great time visiting with friends and strangers.
Most weddings, you sit around with a couple people and have awkward conversation and try to think of things to say. This wasn't like that. we met some really neat people and enjoyed catching up with other friends from college.
I liked the small-town country feel. I wish we had mroe chances for things like that.
So, I'm just going to say, we named our kid after one of the coolest people in the world. When you read about the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians, you would be describing her. (Although she would tell you that isn't the case). She has a gentle, quiet demeanor but a funny sense of humor. She enjoys life. She lives in simplicity and welcomes people into her life with honesty and openness. She loves God and shines in whatever she does. Of course, we love her. And that will be a wedding for the history books, for sure.
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